Alum Named Diocese of Bridgeport Teacher of the Year

Math teacher Timothy Weiss ’16, MAT ’17, honored for his work at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull

Key Highlights

• Timothy Weiss ’16, MAT ’17, a Sacred Heart University alum, has been named the Diocese of Bridgeport’s Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton High School Teacher of the Year
• Weiss teaches mathematics at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, CT, and was nominated by a colleague for the honor
• Weiss credits his Sacred Heart University faculty mentors and campus experiences with shaping his teaching philosophy and faith-centered approach to education

Timothy Weiss ’16, MAT ’17, a mathematics teacher at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull CT, received the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton High School Teacher of the Year award from the Diocese of Bridgeport. The honor recognizes Catholic school educators nominated by their peers for excellence in the classroom and in their broader school communities.

Weiss was nominated by a fellow faculty member at St. Joseph High School.

“I think of myself as a very simple teacher in terms of my methods of teaching mathematics, so I would not expect someone like me to be selected for an award like this,” Weiss said. “It was a very humbling experience and certainly a reminder that although you may see yourself one way, sometimes God needs to give you a reminder of how He truly sees you.”

Weiss said the recognition affirms a central part of his approach to teaching; showing his students how to integrate their Catholic faith into their everyday lives.

“While I certainly hope that I can impart on my students a sense of the importance of their faith and the need to incorporate daily prayer into their lives, this acknowledgment gives me confidence that I am indeed carrying out this mission,” he said.

Weiss earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Sacred Heart University in 2016 and his Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in 2017. He credits faculty in SHU’s Mathematics Department, including Bernadette Boyle, Andrew Lazowski, and Jason Molitierno with shaping his approach to education.

“They reminded me that my primary job as an educator is to give my students the tools they need to succeed, and that offering a little extra of my time is completely worth it when it leads to seeing my students succeed,” Weiss said of his SHU mentors.

Beyond academics, Weiss said his involvement in campus ministry and performing arts at Sacred Heart, including choir trips to Ireland and Italy and service-learning opportunities helped shape his priorities as an educator. “All of these experiences were invaluable and helped me realize what truly mattered the most to me, particularly my faith, and sharing the love of God with my peers,” he said.

Looking ahead, Weiss said he plans to keep raising the rigor of his courses to better prepare students for college-level work and standardized tests, while maintaining their confidence in their own abilities. “The improvement never stops,” he said.